Mental Health: Chapter 6

The nurse should use clear concrete messages when working with patients displaying which of the following conditions? Select all that apply

Anxiety. Dementia. Schizophrenia.

Patient says to the nurse, 'I wonder what's playing at the movie tonight.' The most therapeutic response would be,

Are you telling me you would like to go to the movies?

A patient asks the nurse what she should do about her cheating husband. The nurse replies, 'You should divorce him. You deserve better than that." The nurse used which communication of effective communication.

Giving Advice

Which of the following statements is true of empathy? Select all that apply.

It is the ability to place oneself into the experience of another for a moment in time. It is develped by gathering information from the client.

The client says to the nurse, ìI have special powers because I am the mother of God. I can heal everyone in the hospital.î The nurse's best response would be,

It would be unusual for anyone to have that kind of power.

The nurse says to the client, ' You become very anxious when we start talking about your drinking.' Which of the following techniques is the nurse using?

Making an Observation.

Which of the following statements about verbal and nonverbal communication skills is accurate?

Nonverbal communication is as important, if not more than, verbal communicaiton.

A nurse has invited the patient to sit down and have a conversation. The patient takes the first seat. The nurse pulls up another chair to sit with the patient. Approximately how far from the patient should the nurse place the chair?

3-4 feet

Which statements are true of concrete and abstract messages? Select all that apply.

Abstract messages include figures of speech that are difficult to interpret. Concrete messages are clear, direct, and easy to understand.

Which of the following are nontherapeutic techniques?Select all that apply.

Agreeing. Challenging. Giving Approval.

The nurse uses a variety of therapeutic communication skills when working with patients. Which of the following is a therapeutic goal that can be accomplished through the use of therapeutic communication skills?

Assess the patient's perception of a problem.

Which of the following is the best reason that many psychiatric care units have policies against clients touching one another or staff?

Because some clients with mental illness have difficulty knowing when touch is or is not appropriate.

A client is fearful and reluctant to talk. Which of the following techniques is most effective when trying to engage the client in interaction?

Broad Opening

The nurse asks the patient what he would like to talk about. This an example of

Broad Opening.

The client stated, 'I was so upset about my sister ignoring me when I was talking about being ashamed.; Which nontherapeutic communication technique would the nurse be using if the nurse would state, 'How are your stress reduction classes going?'

Changing the subject

The patient expresses frustration that the doctor does not spend enough time with the patient when making rounds. The nurse replies, ìThe doctors are very busy. What can I help you with?î The nurse incorporated which nontherapeutic technique in this response?

Defending

The nurse asks the client what that experience was like. Which communication skill is the nurse using?

Encouraging Expression

A patient states, 'Right before I got here I was doing alright. My job was going well, my wife and I were happy, and we just moved into a new apartment.' The nurse responds, 'You said you and your wife were happy. Tell me more about that.' This is an example of which therapeutic technique?

Exploring

Which one of the following goals of therapeutic communication would the nurse strive to attain first?

Facilitate the client's expression of emotions.

A patient remarks, 'You know, it's the same thing every time. The nurse should respond by stating,

I'm not sure what you mean. Please explain.

A client has been making sexual comments when communicating with the nurse. The nurse wants to spend some time talking to the patient while respecting the patient's right to privacy. Which setting would be the most appropriate setting for the nurse to talk with the client?

In a quiet corner of the dayroom at least 4 feet away from others.

Which of the following distance zones is acceptable for people who mutually desire personal contact?

Intimate

The nurse asks the patient, ìWhat was it like for you when you first knew you had no place to go?î The patient looks down and pauses for quite some time. Which action by the nurse is most therapeutic?

Sit quietly until the patient responds.

The nurse is sitting down with a patient to begin a conversation. Which of the following positions should the nurse take to convey acceptance of the patient?

Sitting upright facing the patient with both feet on the floor.

The nurse is trying to obtain some information about family relationships from the client. Which of the following statements is best?

Tell me your feelings about your family situation.

The nurse is sitting with a patient who is crying. After a few minutes the nurse places one hand on the patient's shoulder. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the nurse's touch with this patient?

To offer comfort and support the patient.

The nurse must be alert to the nonverbal expressions of the client. Because the meaning attached to nonverbal behavior is subjective, it is important for the nurse to

Validate the meaning of the nonverbal behavior.

During the mental status assessment, the client expresses the belief that the CIA is stalking him and plans to kidnap him. The best response by the nurse would be,

What kinds of things have been happening?

A patient is sitting alone, slouched, with eyes closed. The nurse approaches. Which statement is most likely to encourage the patient to talk?

You look like you are deep in thought.

Which of the following statements would be an empathetic response in a client interaction?

You must have been embarrased when your father yelled at you in the grocery store.

A patient states, ìI feel fine. It's a good day.î The nurse notes the patient looking away, and a decreasing pitch in his voice while speaking. Which of the following is the most therapeutic response by the nurse?

You say you feel find, but you don't really sound fine.

A patient says, 'It's been so long since I've been with my family. Which statement by the nurse is an example of restarting?

You say you haven't seen your family in a while.

A patient yells, 'All the nurses here are so mean. None of you really care about us.' The most therapeutic response would be,

You seem very irritated.

During the admission interview the nurse asks the client what led to his hospitalization. The client responds, 'They lied about me. They said I murdered my mother. You're the killers. You all killed my mother. She died before I was born.' The best initial response by the nurse would be,

You're having very frightening thoughts.